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Which is the best diet?

Click on the fruit or see the items on this page for an overview of each diet.

Atkins Diet

The late Dr. Richard Atkins developed one of the most popular and controversial diets of recent years.

Designed to alter the way your body deals with foods, the Atkins diet suggests reduction of carbohydrate intake in order to cause a change in your metabolism to induce dissolving of body fat. The idea is that instead of using carbohydrates for energy, your body uses up stored fat instead.

The Atkins diet might suit you if you're a big meat eater and are looking for fast results. More on the Atkins Diet

Atkins Diet Recipes

Alternate Day Diet (ADD)

This popular eating plan is proving very successful in dropping those unwanted pounds. Eat what you fancy on one day, then on the next day limit yourself to 500 calories. It's reckoned to be easier to follow because you only have to do without your favourites for one day!

Created by Dr.James Johnson, the diet is based on the idea that the calorie reduction on alternate days causes a 'skinny gene' to be activated. This is believed to block a process of storing fat. Trials have shown that Alternate day diet users lost from 10lbs-30lbs. It is also claimed to boost the immune system resulting in better health and longer life!

more about the alternate day diet

Glycemic Index

Based on the fact that all sugars, starches and fruits are digested at different rates. The GI diet categorizes carbohydrates by the speed the body digests and converts them to energy. The foods are recognised as being 'high' or 'medium to low' on the GI index, the latter being preferred, as a gradual release of energy from low GI foods will prevent hunger and give you plenty of energy throughout the day. As an added bonus this diet reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes. GI Diet Recipes

Low GI : a value of 55 or less - porridge oats, lentils, pulses and beans, barley, tomatoes,   raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, oranges, cherries, grapes, apples, pears, peaches, custard

Med GI : values of 56 to 69 - granary bread, wholemeal pasta, basmati rice, honey, jam, Weetabix, Shredded Wheat, ice cream, new potatoes, sweet potatoes

High GI : value of 70 or more - grapefruit juice, cereal, white and wholemeal bread, baked potato, mashed potato, sugar, banana, watermelon, parsnips, brown rice

More about the GI Diet

The Zone Diet

Dr Barry Sears zone diet is based on the principle of regulating levels of insulin and other hormones in the blood within recommended levels (The Zone) by eating the correct balance of food at the right intervals.

The diet recommends a 30:40 ratio of protein to carbohydrates to help maintain a balance between the hormones insulin and glucagen which is optimum for fat-burning and overall health.

The Zone diet plan causes the body to work within its ideal performance 'zone' providing maximum energy and weight loss.

No caffeine, moderate alcohol - Alcoholic beverages contain very little carbohydrate - most wines and spirits contain virtually none.

The recommendations are a maximum of 14 units of alcohol a week for women and 21 units a week for men.

More about the Zone Diet

Zone Diet Recipes

Weight Watchers

Weight watchers is a diet 'club' with thousands of meetings held every week around the world. It's also online with tons of useful free information on the website and you can join online for the benefits of full membership. The two types of diet promoted by Weight watchers, the core plan and the points plan are both low-fat, low-calorie and easy to follow.

Many Weight watchers members praise the help and support they get at meetings so if you have willpower problems, this could be a good option for you.

More about Weight watchers Recipes

Calorie counting

Calorie counting is simple - just count the number of calories in everything that you eat and drink - to lose weight just keep your daily intake of calories lower than the amount your body needs. Oh - if it were that easy!

But you can lose a pound a week by consuming 500 calories a day less than your body uses and you can continue to eat your favourite foods.

More about Calorie counting

The South Beach Diet

The invention of the american cardiologist Arthur Agatston, the South Beach diet has three stages which aim to move your food intake in the direction of 'good' away from 'bad'.

The diet aims to break the cycle of sugar / insulin highs and lows which occur as a result of eating 'bad' quickly absorbed carbs and which can encourage us to snack.

It's possible to achieve significant weight loss in the two week induction phase making it another good option for fast weight loss and it's also said to be good at getting rid of excess weight around the stomach area.

More about the south beach diet

Emma's Daily Diet Tip

If you need a quick burst of energy forget sugary drinks or snacks, try a ripe banana instead!

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